What to Do If You Lose Your Driver’s License

Losing your driver’s license is not fun! In addition to the hassle of reapplying for a driver’s license, you also run the risk of potential identity theft. So if you lose your driver’s license, follow these tips to help you avoid bigger problems.

Try to remember where you lost it. Retracing your steps may help.

The first thing to after you realized that don’t have your driving license with you is to retrace your steps, ask around, and check all the possible place it might be. There is always a change for it to be found. Well, if you still come up empty and there is no sign of it, it’s time to take quick action as you might have lost it or someone may steal it. You may also want to assess if anything else is missing.

Report the loss to the police

You may want to report it to the police immediately after you realize that you lost it to prevent any identity theft, considering that ID forgers can easily replace your photo with theirs and use your license as their own. If someone stole your driving license and have all your information on it, they may able to use your identity. That is definitely a bigger problem! They can cause you financial ruin and potentially drain your bank account and take out loans in your name.

To report a stolen or lose driver’s license, you may want to take a look into these:

Figure out the quickest way to file a police report, whether it’s in person by coming to the police station, online, or over the phone.

You have to be as specific as possible and tell all the small details because it might turn out to be valuable information later.

Don’t forget to get a copy of the report for yourself.

Replace your lost driver’s license

You can either get a replacement for your lost driver’s license, or you renew it, depending on your lost license’s expiry date. If you don’t have a copy of your lost driver’s license, bring another ID with you such as your passport or your Social Security card. When you visit your local DMV, you can also ask for your driving record. By doing so, you also will know if someone is racking up points or getting a ticket under your name.

Renewing your driver’s license might be more accessible. Some states provide an online service for driver’s license renewal. But if renewal is not an option, you need to apply for a replacement.

Prepare all the paperwork that you need. Different states may need different documentation, so check and make sure you prepare all of the requirements, as well as they money to cover the fee.

Applying online might take a little longer, as well as mailing it, which will take approximately four to six weeks. If you need it fast, you may need to apply for it in-person. The process for this is usually straightforward:

Fill out a driver’s license application form for a replacement;

Provide proof of your identity, residency, social security number, or any other government issued document;

Pay the fee.

Last but not least, don’t drive without your driver’s license because driving without a license is illegal in every state. So, don’t get risk getting another problem! Ask a friend to go drive you to the nearest DMV, or ride an Uber or Lyft.

Before receiving your replacement driver’s license, make sure to monitor any signs of identity theft. It is also a good idea to run a criminal background check on yourself and monitor a credit score.